West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-11-17
CR0ClFISSA'S LACE.
BY LUCY BLAKE.

not Tar from the borders of Lombardy, is
tiny hamlet called Fiatico. IL has n
chugch, and the few strangers who visit
the quiet little nook and enter the humble
sanctuary wonder at the handsome lace
decorating the Madoana's blue six petti-
coat All the rest Of the ornamenta.ion
is so tawdry and poor that tn. delicate
fabric looks strangely out OF place. How
came it there2 is question the old
woman who unlocks TIE door is prov.l
to answer
Amy ard had put up for the hottest
summer weeks at the barn-ike old post
inn at Fiatico. Often during our walks
through the chestnut woods, or UP the
steep paths of the mountain-sdc, We met
tall, slim girl of eighteen, with sirik
ingly beautiful dark eyes, which haunted
us by reason of their extreme sadness.
she wore skimp gown of homespun, its
original color matter of con lecture
only; her we'll modelled feet were bare
and she was usually in charge OF seven
sheep and one little lame black lamb
sometimes we saw her under tree knit
ting an interminab.e blue stockinp-for
other feet than her own, evidently
while the sheep grazed. Or. in the omen
girl would sit on the soaking ground
huddlcd under an old green umbrella
this TO restrain a neighEor's COW. getting
her supper Of < ass from invading an
adjacent cabbage-patch. The girl always
gave us gracious "Good-day" as she
passed, and seem pleased when ANY
smiled at her in return
'Who is shel' we inquired of the mis-
-tress of our inn
You mean the girl who drives the
,heep with a lame black lamb among
themF answered our hostess. THAT is
Crocihssa, poor girl, the 'conyict's dauph.
ter. Hers is hard lot among n little
community where none lie on roses.
] assure you. Her father, Sander. has a
bad history, and the shadow of it darkens
the girls life
ooh, tell itw cried Amy, dropping
down upon stool beside the comfort
able,looking cd dame.
ut is soon told, signora, the story OF
most sins is short; it is the misery OF
them that dTags on so wearily. When
eandro was young he killed man i'm a
passion OF Jcalousy--a woman at the bot
tom OF the aiIair, Of course-s:abbed him
from beh nd in the dark, and then threw
hlm down into the Lima to drown if the
wound was not deep enough TO give him
nls death. They were a year or more
fastening the murder opon Sandro. but
he confessed it at last over glass toe
much OF Chianti. lie was sentenced foI
twenty years TO prison and hard labor.
/" hen hls time was out strangely enough.
he chose to come back here to lat co
end Stranger stu, he found woman
foolish enough TO marry him, KNOWING
oil about hiscriine. This poor weak tbine
died when Crocibssa was born. and Tho
child's lie has been so wretched. il
seems IA pity she did not die too"
Are they so very poor2'
"Miscrably; and Because of fhc
fathers disgrace everybody s uns Tn,
daughter. Cruel, isn't il? But that i,
the way Of the world I should max,
hne exception when / say everyone turn,
Ihe cold shou der upon ner. Icrhap.
ne saddest part of Crocifssa's history i
Mat she hasa lover whom she can scarce',
ever hope TO marry"
els he so poor, tooF
Ills name is Reno, very good fcl
low, but no luck lie makes n it'll,
money with his donkey. carrying fruit
and vegetables to the hotel Mt Abctone.
but he has blind old mother 10 HELM
and he can save nothing. Crocif,sg
earns a few francs spinning and
knitting stockings, and the profits from
The sheep put a scanty supply OF bread
in the mouths Of the convict and hi,
daughter, and Keep crazy roof owe,
their heads Crocilssa can make bcauti
ful lace, but he hurts her eyes at il. aad
doctor told her she would 90 blind il
she made any more"
She has such lovely eyes r. said ANY
enthusiastically.
Yes; with bit Of happiness IN
brighten her, she would be tic prettiest
girl in these parts. As it is, her goo
looks arc little us, poor thingl
Cant Reno hit upon more pay nq
business than donkcy-driving . ask
lie wishes 90 20 down 10 the Ma,em
ma, whe c he v ould gct goo1 vaaes and
be able to put ny lI'le, but Crocifssa
viii not heay Of it. Sic is right
think, Tor Hcmo Is not strong, and the
marsh fever would be sure TO carry him
of. Few people have been kind to tho
girl, and no dog ever loved his master aq
Crociissa loves Rcm1."
" Poor giri what pity they cannot
make each other happyw
II they ha j, little capital, two OF
three hundred france, 10 hire and fur.
tf"it ~ t'Riflt iiNF tbNlN NidUhEt TO 1--we
but hundred franc pieces do not fal
from the clotfs.r
Life at Paris being dull and bare ol
incident we felt much interested in
Crociisso's story, end cultivated her ac
quaint1nco upo1 every occasion Sh,
gave us flowers and berries gathered In
pretty little baskets improviscd bv her.
self from chestnut leaves. and with hi
nVeo bnnf ai ylv on hor lrffffn., t.ft,.I
TO us Of her simple, uncvcniful life
When Reno. her lover, was under dis
cussion. which was irs ,ucntly the case
rroeifssa's large eyes glowCd wi
loft, happy ligni nd she became beau
VOL. But the brightness ,anshc
auickly at memory Of thc sorl.d mise